Need recommandations on compact digitals

Son is in guards and headed for Iraq he needs good small digital camera. My knowledge is DSLR's so I'm not much help there, any ideas appreciated.

I'd suggest that you first look for something that uses AA cells, since they're readily available, as are NiMH chargers. I use an A620; one of the A-series or (if he's willing to tote something bigger ) an S3 would be good.

Smaller would probably be better in this case. I would also suggest the A series that require regular AA batteries.

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Graystar wrote in post #2697174
This is just a thought...

Iraq ranks up there as one of the hottest places on the planet. My A710 IS manual specifies a max operating temperature of 104 F (40 C). Just something to keep in mind...

Good thought. Sandy too. It might be a good idea to look into something thats waterproof (and thus 'sandproof'). Canon does not have any but Olympus does. Not for the actual waterproofness (although it may cone in handy), but sand in the lens door of a compact wouldnt be good.

I have an A540 and like it very much, slightly smaller than the A6xx series as it only takes 2 batteries instead of 4. Its fairly cheap, I got mine for $160 right befor christmas. It has all the manual controls simmilar to a DSLR and you can get a weather/water proof case from canon for about $169.